House expected to vote on health care bill as early as today – Talk Media News

WASHINGTON- The Republican-sponsored health carebill may come to the House floor as early as today the anniversary of thepassageof Obamacare.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday spent more than 12 hours debating the legislation in lieu of failed Democratic requests that consideration be delayed until the Congressional Budget Office releases its report on the managers amendment which includes proposals to change Medicaid distribution to states.

The Rules Committee has not yet reported the bill for a floor vote, as House GOP leaders are still uncertain if the legislation will pass.

The American Health Care Act has been approved by the House Budget Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus have expressed concerns over certain provisions contained in the bill such as the inclusion of refundable tax credits to compensate for the phasing-out of federal tax subsidies that under the Affordable Care Act are allocated to those who cannot afford to pay their monthly premiums.

The Freedom Caucus also expressed opposition to a provision of the bill that allowed for a three-year continuance of Medicaid expansion. They want to cap the expansion at the end of the current fiscal year.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday met with GOP Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and reportedly told lawmakers in attendance that they wouldnot likely be reelected if they did not support the legislation.

Changes have been made to the bill such as a proposal to allow states more flexibility in how they use Medicaid grants. The proposal also would allow states to require Medicaid recipients to work for their benefits.

Other compromises include expanding the tax credit provision so as to allow more generous benefits for seniors.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) has stated that he will not support the legislation and it has been reported that 20 other Republican lawmakers also have stated that will not support the bill.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with Freedom Caucus leaders this morning.

Several moderate Republicans have also expressed opposition to the bill.

The legislation needs 218 votes to pass the House.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and fellow GOP Congressional leaders have stated that they worked hard to address Freedom Caucus concerns but thatthe legislation cannot please every Republican lawmaker because it must conform with the budget reconciliation process to avoid a potential Senate filibuster.

Senate reconciliation ruleswould allow the replacement component of the bill to bypass the 60-vote threshold and instead pass with a simple majority.

The legislation is expected to come to the House floor no later than Monday.

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House expected to vote on health care bill as early as today - Talk Media News